Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region

1. Page 131

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   Southern Regional Assembly | RSES131 Section 1 - Climate action and transition to a low carbon economy Climate change is the universal challenge that affects our future environment, economy and how our communities live. Irish per capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are among the highest in Europe. The Government has identified ‘Climate Change as the most important long-term challenge facing Ireland’. With the launch of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and as a signatory to the Paris Agreement, the Government has committed to ‘the transformation required to achieve a low carbon resilient future’. The Climate Action Plan 2019 puts in place ‘a decarbonisation pathway’ to 2030 consistent with reaching the EU Target of Net Zero emissions by 2050. The implications for the region are stark. Observed and predicted climate changes for Ireland include: • An increase in average temperatures of 0.8% between 1900 and 2011 with projected increases across all seasons 0.9% -1.7% to 2050; • Observed increases in rainfall with projected reductions in average levels for 3 seasons, but a substantial increase in frequency of heavy precipitation events; • A projected increase in the number and intensity of storms in the North Atlantic; • Sea levels rising at approximately 3.5cm per decade, continuing to rise up to 0.8m per decade; • An increase in sea surface temperatures by 0.7C since 1850 with a projected warming of 1.9c by the end of the century. The observed and potential impacts of these climate changes is widespread with adverse impacts to agriculture, the marine environment, biodiversity, coastal zones (including coastal erosion) sea level rise and flooding, critical infrastructure, water management, human health and wellbeing.

2. Page 132

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   Southern Regional Assembly | RSES132 The Climate Action Plan 2019 provides the lead on actions required to address these issues. It builds upon the framework established by the National Mitigation Plan and sets out ambitious actions and targets to achieve decarbonisation. It also reflects Ireland’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and SDG 13 in particular, ‘to take urgent action to combat climate change and impacts’. The Climate Action Plan 2019 re-affirms the National Adaptation Framework as the main policy response to the challenges of climate change and the Regional Assembly will work in partnership with the Climate Action Regional Offices (CARO) to support the development of long-term solutions and extensive adaptation measures. The Regional Assembly is committed to implement regional policy consistent with the Climate Action Plan 2019. Comprehensive policies are set out in this section across the three priority areas identified in the Strategy in Chapter 2: – de-carbonisation, climate resilience and resource efficiency. RPO 87 Low Carbon Energy Future The RSES is committed to the implementation of the Government’s policy under Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-30 and Climate Action Plan 2019. It is an objective to promote change across business, public and residential sectors to achieve reduced GHG emissions in accordance with current and future national targets, improve energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy sources across the key sectors of electricity supply, heating, transport and agriculture. RPO 88 National Mitigation Plan and National Adaptation Framework The RSES is committed to the implementation of the National Mitigation Plan and National Adaptation Framework: Planning for a Climate Resilient Ireland to enable the Region transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy. It is an objective to ensure effective co-ordination of climate action with the Climate Action Regional Offices and local authorities to implement the National Mitigation Plan and the National Adaptation Framework in the development and implementation of long-term solutions and extensive adaptation measures. Transition to a low carbon economy and society The transition to a low carbon energy future will require a wide range of responses across the public and private sectors and in communities to change how we use energy at home, in our work and how we travel. The NPF emphasises that the planning process is well placed to implement and integrate climate change objectives. Fundamental to the RSES is a change to more sustainable settlement patterns. The focus on compact growth of our cities and towns, placemaking, sustainable transport, and focus on the location of development in sustainable locations will bring fundamental benefits to climate change mitigation. A number of locations have been identified as Key Change Locations in driving innovation and a low carbon economy for example: • Enniscorthy – UN Centre of Excellence on Carbon Emissions; and • Tipperary Bio Energy Hub. Key Change Locations for transition will provide a lead on climate action and further locations will be identified and developed as part of the Regional De-carbonisation Plan. The RSES supports the measures outlined in the Climate Action Plan 2019. Supporting actions will focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, agriculture and forestry and climate resilience through flood defences. Our actions on decarbonisation will be linked to the implementation of the crosscutting measures in the Climate Action Plan 2019, the National Mitigation Plan and the National Adaptation Framework in conjunction the work of the Climate Action Regional Offices (CARO).

3. Page 133

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   Southern Regional Assembly | RSES133 Decarbonisation across the Southern Region The Regional Decarbonisation Plan will provide a regional focus for each of the sectors covered by the Climate Action Plan and National Mitigation Plan. The Plan should seek to develop sustainable economic pathways and a Just Transition so that the impacts of policies to achieve decarbonisation do not disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in our communities. Electricity To achieve national and EU targets will require investment in measures to develop alternative renewable energies with greater interconnection to energy resources, increased capacity in biomass/ biofuels and reconfiguration of power generation facilities from use of fossil fuels to low carbon technical solutions. The built environment will be developed through measures to support householders and business, changes to building regulations, smart metering and buildings, and new initiatives to support low carbon heating, including district heating. The transition to compact growth and more sustainable land use will at a fundamental level underpin decarbonisation of the built environment. The Transport Sector All initiatives for meeting the national obligations to decarbonise the transport sector under the National Mitigation Plan will be included in the Regional Decarbonisation Plan. Sustainable transport and land use policies set out in earlier chapters also support a reduction of current level of car uses and dependence. Transport will require significant modal shift from private carbon fuel using motor vehicles to sustainable transport. This will also require a similar shift to more sustainable means of freight and logistics transport, including rail. The success of the Region in decarbonising transport will require the implementation of other core policy objectives of RSES, particularly the settlement strategy delivering compact growth and compact settlements, to make sustainable travel more viable. Decarbonising transport will also focus on alternative and low emission fuels for vehicles for freight, a modal shift of freight to rail transport and the increased electrification of freight transport. RPO 90 Regional Decarbonisation It is an objective to develop a Regional Decarbonisation Plan to provide a framework for action on de-carbonisation across all sectors. The Plan shall include existing and future targets for each sector. Implementation mechanisms and monitoring structures shall be established with stakeholders, including the Climate Action Regional Offices, following the adoption of the RSES to identify the scope and role of the Plan, the requirements for SEA, AA and the timescale for its preparation. RPO 89 Building Resilience to Climate Change a. It is an objective to support measures to build resilience to climate change throughout the Region to address impact reduction, adaptive capacity, awareness raising, providing for nature-based solutions and emergency planning; b. Local Authorities and other public agencies shall continue to work with the Office of Public Works to implement the Flood Risk Management Plans and address existing and potential future flood risks arising from coastal, fluvial, pluvial, groundwater and potential sources of flood risk. Climate Resilience The National Adaptation Framework, sets out an overall approach for developing climate resilience. Climate adaptation aims to reduce the vulnerability of our environment, society and economy to the current and future risks posed by climate change. It focuses on short-term and long-term responses to climate change by taking a cross-cutting themed approach for all key sectors of Government, society and the economy: • Natural and Cultural Capital; • Critical infrastructure; • Water resources and Flood Risk Management; • Public Health. The Regional Assembly has a key role to adopt a joint regional approach to adaptation planning in partnership with CARO and the local authorities (who have adopted Climate Adaptation Strategies), where there are opportunities to share knowledge, experience and resources or to avail of economies of scale. At regional and local level, we need to focus on the ability of the system in all its component parts to anticipate, accommodate and recover the effects of hazardous impacts, including the integration of emergency planning into climate change adaptation. Building Resilience to Climate Change will include measures to support flood risk management. Project Ireland 2040 also includes fiscal measures in the area of carbon pricing to drive a reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels and taxation measures to support investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy and other measures to reduce GHG emissions.

4. Page 134

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   Southern Regional Assembly | RSES134 RPO 91 Decarbonisation in the Transport Sector It is an objective to: a. Seek initiatives that will achieve the decarbonisation of the transport sector, moving to the use of clean generated electricity biogas, hydrogen and other non-fossil fuels for private and public transportation and provision of clean energy and lower carbon fuelling stations by 2030; b. Pursue policies to reduce reliance on private cars and achieve modal shift to sustainable transportation in conjunction with policies to achieve compact growth and reduce congestion; c. Seek the development of clean energy and lower carbon fuelling and electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure at the appropriate locations including consideration of electric, hydrogen, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)/biogas. RPO 92 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure It is an objective to: a. Support investment in the sustainable development of Electric Vehicle charging facilities aligned with our Region’s transportation networks; b. Through Local Authority County Development Plans and Local Area Plans, encourage and support policies and objectives to integrate Electric Vehicle charging point infrastructure within residential, commercial and mixed-use developments. RPO 93 CNG & EV Infrastructure It is an objective to: a. Support investment in the sustainable development of CNG refuelling stations aligned with the TEN-T corridors as a renewable technology for servicing public service vehicles and commercial fleets; b. Seek the provision of EV charging point infrastructure within residential, commercial and mixed use developments. Forestry & Decarbonisation As part of the Government’s Climate Action Plan, there is an annual afforestation target of 8,000ha. The Regional Assembly supports this target and the planned collaboration between Coillte and Bord na Mona to transform Bord na Mona bogs which are no longer used for peat production into native woodlands. The creation of new woodlands and the wider forestry sector have a critical role in contributing to carbon sequestration, decarbonisation and contributing to a post-carbon and climate resilient economy. Carbon Sequestration Recognising the value of our peatlands as carbon sinks is key to carbon sequestration in the Region. In their natural state, peatlands act as long-term sinks for atmospheric carbon dioxide. A persistently high water table is necessary for this function. Peatlands are the most important long-term carbon store in the terrestrial biosphere and sequester, and store atmospheric carbon for thousands of years. The EPA highlights the importance of initiatives aiming at increasing soil carbon sequestration including grassland soils Carbon Capture and Storage Carbon Capture and Storage is a method of storing carbon dioxide emissions in underground rocks and reservoirs. Carbon dioxide is captured from large emission sources and is condensed to a liquid CO2 that is pumped into deep geological formations where it is stored. RPO 104 supports the development of opportunities for technological innovation in carbon capture and storage. Decarbonisation in the Agricultural Sector Agriculture is both highly exposed to and is a significant contributor of climate change. Agriculture currently accounts for 33% of national emissions and is currently increasing by 2.9% per annum. Agriculture is intrinsically linked to our national identity and the agrifood and drink sector accounts for nearly 8% of Irelands economy-wide GVA (DAFM, 2014), nearly 11% of exports and over 8% of total employment (DAFM 2015). Current quantity and export driven Irish agriculture targets are set out in Food Harvest 2020 and Food Wise 2025. There is a need to align to our climate targets and to future proof the agricultural economy in the process.

5. Page 135

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   Southern Regional Assembly | RSES135 RPO 94 Decarbonisation in the Agricultural Sector It is an objective to support initiatives that advance an approach to achieve carbon neutrality for agriculture and land-use that does not compromise sustainable food production through: i. Programmes including the Green Low- Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) and the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-20; ii. Support for the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Communications Climate Action and Environment to enhance the competitiveness of the agriculture sector with an urgent need for mitigation to reduce GHGs as well as adaptation measures. The All-of-Ireland Government Plan on Climate Action and Ag-Climatise will guide action in this area. Decarbonising Agriculture requires a focus on measures to develop low carbon farming and land management with the support of schemes such as GLAS (Green Low Carbon Agri Environmental Scheme). Decarbonising Waste The circular economy and waste minimisation is the focus of the Waste Management Strategy for The Southern Region, 2015 - 2021, which seeks to promote waste prevention and reduce dependency on landfill in line with EU and national policy. Decarbonising waste will also require a change in mind-set, including corporate social responsibility in the use of resources, design, and packaging. Resource Efficiency A determined focus on resource efficiency means using the Earth's limited resources in a sustainable manner while minimising impacts on the environment. In the following section the strategy for renewable energy, energy efficiency and the circular economy is outlined. Section 2 follows on to address resource efficiency in ecosystem services and water resources. The 2030 EU Climate and Energy Framework sets specific targets for the year 2030 of at least 40% reduction in GHG emissions with at least 32% of all energy generated from renewable energy sources (Climate Action Plan Target for Ireland 70% by 2030) and at least 32.5% improvement in energy efficiency. The Climate Action Plan 2019 and other Government policy including the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), the Offshore Renewable Energy Plan and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) have adopted the EU targets and set out a detailed approach within each area of energy generation and use. There is significant potential for action to ensure we meet the targets set for the state through development of wind, wave and tidal energy, solar, hydro, bio-energy, combined heat and power systems targets. Support for further initiatives in these areas will be advanced by the Regional Renewable Energy Plan and the ongoing work of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to address the access to the Grid system.

6. Page 136

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   Southern Regional Assembly | RSES136 Renewable Energy Leadership Leadership is key to transition to renewable energy and the RSES supports the initiative by many local authorities to sign the Covenant of Mayors – a European cooperation movement involving local and regional authorities aimed at increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy. Further development of research and innovation for renewable energy is evident across the Region in some of the initiatives outlined below: • National Bio-economy Hub in Lisheen, Co. Tipperary: supported by the EU bio-economy strategy and Horizon 2020 for the sustainable use of our natural resources from traditional and nontraditional sectors. Developments in this area could enable the Region to become the ‘European Model Demonstrator Region of the Bio-Economy’; • Promoting the conversion of Moneypoint electricity station by 2025 from burning fossil fuels as part of the transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient society. The RSES recognises the importance of Moneypoint as producer of 25% of national energy and its potential as a deep water port; • Between fuel and energy production, Whitegate Energy Park could potentially deliver 25% of the country’s energy needs. It is a national asset for developing bio-energy and is responsible for the production of a significant element of the national bio-fuel substitution target. Technology developments could provide potential to store carbon dioxide from electricity generation in some of the depleted offshore reservoirs; • The Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) provides significant opportunities to grow the Blue Economy through offshore wave and wind renewable energy in the Shannon Estuary. The Regional Renewable Energy Strategy will set targets for the Renewable Energy Sector as they evolve. Wind Energy The RSES recognises and supports the many opportunities for onshore wind as a major source of renewable energy. Opportunities for both commercial and community wind energy projects should be harnessed, having regard to the requirements of DoHPLG Guidelines on Wind Energy. Wind Energy, with current and future developments technology, has an important role in delivering value and clean electricity for Ireland. RPO 95 Sustainable Renewable Energy Generation It is an objective to support implementation of the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), and the Offshore Renewable Energy Plan and the implementation of mitigation measures outlined in their respective SEA and AA and leverage the Region as a leader and innovator in sustainable renewable energy generation. RPO 96 Integrating Renewable Energy Sources It is an objective to support the sustainable development, maintenance and upgrading of electricity and gas network grid infrastructure to integrate a renewable energy sources and ensure our national and regional energy system remains safe, secure and ready to meet increased demand as the regional economy grows. RPO 97 Power Stations and Renewable Energy It is an objective to support the sustainable technology upgrading and conversion of power stations in the Region to increase capacity for use of energy efficient and renewable energy sources. RPO 98 Regional Renewable Energy Strategy It is an objective to support the development of a Regional Renewable Energy Strategy with relevant stakeholders.

7. Page 137

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   Southern Regional Assembly | RSES137 RPO 99 Renewable Wind Energy It is an objective to support the sustainable development of renewable wind energy (on shore and off shore) at appropriate locations and related grid infrastructure in the Region in compliance with national Wind Energy Guidelines. RPO 100 Indigenous Renewable Energy Production and Grid Injection It is an objective to support the integration of indigenous renewable energy production and grid injection. RPO 101 International Hub for Energy Innovation It is an objective to support continued innovation and research in the energy sector and to develop a role as an international hub for energy innovation. RPO 102 Energy Research Funding It is an objective to support initiatives for energy research funding within our region to accelerate diversification away from fossil fuels to green energy, including the potential of wind, wave, solar, biomass, biofuels, biogas and hydrogen in the Region. RPO 103 Interconnection Infrastructure It is an objective to support the sustainable development of interconnection infrastructure, in particular the potential for the sustainable development of an international connection between Ireland and France in the Region. RPO 104 Energy Storage and Carbon Capture It is an objective to support investment in initiatives to develop innovation, advances in technology and pilot projects for the sustainable development of energy storage and carbon capture within the Region and to work with key stakeholders in developing sustainable forestry, including initiatives for native tree planting and better management of peatland and soil management to support carbon sequestration and enhancement of biodiversity. Micro Generation Building energy efficiency will require new measures such as the development of micro-generation, particularly where local communities and domestic customers produce their own electricity with the added option of exporting the surplus the surplus onto the ESB Networks LV System. Examples of micro-generation technology include, windpower, photovoltaics, and combined heat-and-power. District Heating The RSES supports the potential for development of district heating as a significant opportunity to provide cost effective heating to benefit local communities and enterprise. District heating consists of an insulated pipe network, which allows heat generated from a centralised source (energy centre) which is delivered to multiple buildings to provide space heating and hot water. District heating networks benefit from economies of scale, the reduced coincidence of heat demand between different customers leading to lower capacity requirements (and

8. Page 138

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   Southern Regional Assembly | RSES138 RPO 105 Clean Electric Heat Technologies & District Heating It is an objective to support development of district heating schemes by promoting innovation in the use of recoverable heat sources and related technologies. The development of new low carbon heat sources should include non-fossil fuel heat sources including clean electric and renewable gas heat technologies in the Region. RPO 106 Future Proofing and Retrofitting It is an objective to support implementation of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, the implementation of mitigation measures outlined in their respective SEA and AA and investment in initiatives to improve energy efficiency and future proof our Region’s residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and public building stock, including retrofitting in urban and rural areas and reduce fuel poverty. RSES supports the promotion of sustainable buildings that achieve certification under systems such as the Home Performance Index and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design at local authority level. with multiple building level units), increased efficiency. A fewer number of larger heat generation units compared to individual, building-level heating plants also allows for decarbonisation. District heating systems are well placed to use sustainable energy sources such as biomass and geothermal energy sources. Hydro Energy The development of hydro energy represents a significant opportunity for the development of renewable energy in the Region. The planned Silvermines Hydro Electric Power Station would’ generate electricity during high demand periods as water from a higher elevation reservoir is released to a lower reservoir, flowing through giant turbines. It is pumped back up to the higher reservoir during low electricity demand periods. This energy storage project is the only electricity generating plant planned for Ireland included in the European Network of Transmission Systems Operators for Electricity (ENTSOE) plan for 2018 to 2028. Community Energy Measures to support the development of sustainable energy at community level will be enhanced by the LECo project funded by the EU INTERREG programme, the REACT project, funded by Horizon 2020, and Údarás na Gaeltachta and SEAI’s joint programme – The Regional Energy Development Programme and the establishment of a regional energy bureau. Energy Efficiency The SEAI and the Energy Agencies are key to promote action on energy efficiency at national, regional and local level. This focus on energy efficiency in the RSES reflects the actions outlined in the Climate Action Plan 2019, the National Mitigation Plan and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Ireland No. 4 2017-20. Energy efficiency policy for the Region will support the work of the SEAI and the Local Energy Agencies including goals for: Economy: Measures which reduce reliance on the use of imported fossil fuels and enhance economic competitiveness and support the reduction of emissions. Households: Measures to improve the energy efficiency of households and address energy poverty through domestic supports under the Better Energy Programme, including the Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme. Capacity Building Capacity Building can provide an important boost to the development of energy efficiency with the support of the local authority-led Local Energy Agencies and input from the regional skills fora to develop upskilling programmes and expertise needed to facilitate a regional energy efficiency retrofit scheme.

9. Page 139

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   Southern Regional Assembly | RSES139 RPO 107 Regional Waste Management Plan for the Southern Region 2015-2021 It is an objective to support innovative initiatives that develop the circular economy through implementation of the Regional Waste Management Plan for the Southern Region 2015-2021 and its successor. RPO 108 EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy It is an objective to support the work of local authorities, the Regional Waste Management Office and all state bodies in the Region to implement the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy-Closing the Loop to ensure sustainable patterns of consumption and production in the areas of: • Product Design • Production processes • Consumption • Waste management • From waste to resources: boosting the market for secondary raw materials and water reuse in line with the EU Raw Material Initiative RPO 109 Bio-Energy Implementation Plan a. It is an objective to support the preparation of a Bio-energy Implementation Plan for the Southern Region in conjunction with the Local Authorities and the Regional Waste Management office; b. Proposals for Bio-energy development and infrastructure will need to be subject to robust site and/or route selection that includes consideration of likely significant effects on European Sites and subject to the outcome of the required appraisal, planning and environmental assessment processes Circular Economy/Waste The traditional linear model where we consume resources, generate high waste volumes to be sent to landfill is unsustainable. Policy is now focussed on building a circular economy which recognises that all resources are scarce, and aims to maintain the value of all products, materials and resources through reuse, renewal and repair, so that products are reused continually, to minimise the generation of waste. At regional level, the Circular Economy has been endorsed by all local authorities in the Regional Waste Management Plan for the Southern Region 2015-2021, with targets for waste reduction. The Regional Assembly will, therefore, support the development of a Circular Economy and the implementation of Closing the Loop – the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy at regional level. The Regional Assembly supports the use of smart technologies and innovative approaches to waste management which promotes waste prevention and increased reuse, recycling and recovery of waste, with additional environmental and economic benefits. Linking with research, such as the Smart Waste Project through Interreg Europe, will enable the Region to learn from and implement new measures and practices to develop the circular economy at regional level. The Circular Economy and Ireland’s Waste Management policy is part of the waste hierarchy established by the EU’s Waste Framework Directive, which sets out to prioritise waste prevention, followed by re-use, recycling, and recovery (where combustible waste through incineration is a waste resource for energy extraction) and finally disposal into landfill. This policy is further developed in A Resource Opportunity Waste Management Policy in Ireland which sets out national policy for Ireland to become a recycling society, with a clear focus on resource efficiency and the virtual elimination of landfilling of municipal waste. For example the introduction of household food waste regulations and the rollout of “brown bins” to assist in the diversion of food waste towards more productive uses, such as the production of compost and the generation of electricity through anaerobic digestion. European and national policy is implemented at regional level through the Regional Waste Management Plan for the Southern Region 2015-2021. The Regional Assembly will seek the implementation of this plan, and its successor, along with local authority plans and programmes to develop the circular economy. Biomass The RSES will promote the efficient use of bio-based waste resources as part of a broader strategy to develop a Bioenergy Implementation Plan for the Region.

10. Page 140

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    Southern Regional Assembly | RSES140 Section 2 - Protecting conserving and enhancing our natural capital Ecosystem Services Natural capital is the stock of living and non-living resources that combine to provide ‘ecosystem services’- the services provided by the natural environment that benefit people. Some ecosystem services are well known including food, fibre and fuel provision, and the cultural services that benefit people through recreation and appreciation of nature. Others are not so well known. These include the regulation of the climate, purification of air and water, flood protection, soil formation and nutrient cycling. An ecosystems approach focuses on the way that the natural environment works as a system. The valuation of the natural environment can help determine whether a policy intervention that alters an ecosystem condition delivers net benefits to society, providing evidence on which to base decisions on value for money. The draining of floodplains for urban development or intensive agriculture is an example, potentially leading to enhanced flood risk, as the natural buffering of the floodplain is lost. The incorporation and consideration of an ecosystem services approach can lead to significant enhancements to planning policy and decision-making and is recommended for use by local authorities in the preparation of Development Plans and other statutory land use plans. Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) brings economic thinking and a market mechanism into the provision of natural resources. These schemes are voluntary market-like transactions between buyers and sellers (beneficiaries and providers) of ecosystem services. For example, agri-environment programmes, such as the Burren Programme, pay farmers on the expected outcomes of their land management practices. In our Region, we can see this concept growing with initiatives such as the Mulkear River Catchment Project, BRIDE project and the River Allow Catchment Management Group which received funding under the European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP). Good Practice Example: Upstream Thinking in the United Kingdom (UK) The aim of Upstream Thinking is to prevent pesticides, nutrients and other pollutants from getting into rivers in the first place. Tackling the problem at source has reduced the need for expensive water treatment solutions and has supported the ecosystem services that peatlands provide such as carbon storage and biodiversity. It has improved water quality and helped wildlife to thrive. In the UK, successful implementation of this approach has provided a ‘win win’ solution for farmers, water quality, drinking water supply, local economy and the environment. There are strong benefits to cost ratios with modelling showing that a £10 million investment into catchment management could save £650 million in costs of treating nutrient and topsoil-laden water over a 30-year period (i.e. a benefit-cost ratio of 65:1). Water Good water quality is vital to the well-being of our society, economy and environment. Our groundwater’s, rivers and lakes are the sources of our drinking water. They also sustain waterintensive industries, including agri-food and tourism, particularly in rural Ireland. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets a goal of achieving at least “Good Ecological Status” in our rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters by 2027. The EPA’s Ireland’s Environment: An Assessment 2016 report stated that there has been a substantial loss in the number of sites where highest quality river sites are found. Anticipated increases in environmental pressures on waters due to human population growth and agricultural output will need to be carefully managed to ensure that not only deterioration is prevented but that water quality improvements take place. Untreated urban wastewater discharges are an ongoing concern. Continued investment in infrastructure and a reversal in the recent decline in capital expenditure are essential. Ocean acidification due to climate change is a cause of concern worldwide and the effects are now being seen in Irish waters. Coastal erosion because of extreme storm events has become a prominent issue in recent years. RPO 110 Ecosystem Services It is an objective that an Ecosystem Services approach will be incorporated into the preparation of statutory land use plans in the region.

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